When unexpected pregnancies occur, birth mothers have a million and one things running through their heads. Can I handle this? Do I want to terminate the pregnancy? Is adoption the right choice? What should I do?! If a birth mother… Read More
-
Open vs. closed adoption?
When you have decided to choose adoption for your child, you will then have the option between open or closed adoptions. Deciding which is the best option for you and for your child might feel like a difficult decision, especially… Read More
-
Will my adoption agency support me in my post adoption experience?
After you have given your child up for adoption can be a very difficult time in your life. Even if you know that you are providing your child with a much better life, more security, and a brighter future, you… Read More
-
Reasons to Choose a Local Adoption Agency
Why choose a smaller, local adoption agency when you are creating an adoption plan? A local adoption agency is smaller than a national adoption agency which means more personal attention for you and your baby. Being small and local gives… Read More
-
Naming a baby
Today I attended the naming of one of our babies. It is a tradition to celebrate the arrival of a child into a family by giving a child a special name that often brings together all of the families. In the event that a birth parent selects a name for the child, the adoptive family often works to include that name in the child’s final name. When the birth parents do not select a name, the adoptive family chooses the name. In either event, the naming of the child is one of the most important tasks of the new family.
In the ceremony today, the adoptive family choose the name for the baby. I listened to the explanation of how the name of the child was chosen. The story was beautiful. This child’s names mean “song” and “of the people.” It was explained that the child was named out of recognition that he was not of just one family. This child was of many people, joining of the birth family and the adoptive family. Today was a celebration of the beauty of adoption. How perfect to be a child of love between two families.
When I wrote our agency’s mission statement, I wrote “from one heart to another.” This child is from the loving heart of the people who created him to the loving heart of the people who will love and celebrate him and his life every day. So, “of the people” is so appropriate. He is of the heart of his biological family and his adoptive family.
His second name, “a song”, was also so appropriate. It was explained that each of us in life has a song that expresses who we are. Here, a baby is starting with a song of love, joining together families, and celebrating the world of adoption.